New surface, same goal for Port

PORT WASHINGTON LOOKS to get over the hump and win a playoff game this season, but the Pirates know they have to take care of business in the regular season first. Among their key players are: (front row from left) Will Stopczynski, Nathan Kasdorf, Jose Martinez, Collin Stull, Nolan Makoutz, Mitchell Niemeyer, Deion Edwards, (back row) Lucas Schumacher, Isaac Bensen, Solomon Felicien, Jackson Saffran, Ethan Baierl, Jack Maciejewski, Hunter Kanneberg, Aidan Leister, Elliot Wiegerling and Dylan Niehoff. Photo by Sam Arendt
On the surface, Port Washington High School football coach John Bunyan is excited about his team this season.
Specifically, the artificial surface.
The Pirates will be playing home games on artificial turf as part of an athletic facility upgrade project.
“They’re fired up,” Bunyan said of his team. “We just can’t wait to practice on the thing.”
The Pirates enter the season after making the playoffs for three consecutive years. The goal this season, is to keep that streak alive and get past the first round.
“First, we’ve got to take care of business and do what it takes to get to the playoffs,” Bunyan said. Then, “We’ve got to win a playoff game.”
The Pirates nearly pulled out a victory at Plymouth last year, falling half a yard short on a two-point conversion attempt and losing, 21-20.
This year’s field general is a first-year starter but has plenty of experience. Ethan Baierl takes over at quarterback for his brother Adam, who graduated after making the North Shore Conference second team last year.
Ethan played a portion of the season when Adam was hurt and won four games.
“He throws a really good ball. His speed is good. He runs well,” Bunyan said.
“He’s made big plays. He’s won before.”
Last year, Ethan went 30-for-56 passing for 397 yards and two scores.
Junior Nathan Kasdorf is expected to get the bulk of the carries at running back. He takes over for NSC first-teamer Deron Spicer, who graduated.
“He’s more of a slasher kid, very agile,” Bunyan said. “He has some good speed but he’ll be able to take a one-yard gain and turn it into three or four.”
Senior Mitchell Niemeyer returns at split end after making the NSC second team last year, despite missing the final three games due to a knee injury. He had nine catches for 132 yards and two scores.
Senior Will Stopczynski, who was the team’s kicker last season, will play receiver.
“He runs really well. He’s a track kid,” Bunyan said.
Sophomore Pat Lippe also joins the receiving corps. He’s the younger brother of Jake, who graduated after being named the NSC Player of the Year.
At tight end, Dylan Niehoff returns after missing nearly all of last season. He broke his leg in the first game.
“He’s got a good frame to him and he has worked real hard,” Bunyan said.
Michael Bunyan, the coach’s son, will also play some tight end and fullback.
“He has worked real hard. He’s earned it,” his father said.
On the offensive line, experience is deep. Four seniors are starting.
Collin Stull will play center, moving over from guard last year. Elliot Wiegerling returns at left tackle, and Aidan Leister will play right tackle. Deion Edwards moves over to left guard from defensive line.
“Aiden, Elliot and Collin have played together,” Bunyan said.
Sophomore Landon Mitchell will play right guard.
The Pirates lost second-team NSC lineman Ray Bensen to graduation.
The offense, Bunyan said, could lean toward running the ball more often.
“We’ve always had to spread the field a little bit and try to run the football with our speed,” he said.
Regardless of the play call, the team will be faster on its new turf.
On the defensive line, some sophomores will fill the tackle positions.
Jacob Peacy, Brandyn Kassens, Keegan Szydel, Everado Armendariz and Mason Riha are battling for playing time.
NSC second-teamer Tristan Griswold graduated.
At defensive end, junior Lucas Schumacher and senior Jack Maciejewski will start. Michael Bunyan and Brady Fleischmann are also in the rotation.
Senior Hunter Kanneberg is back at inside linebacker, and senior Nolan Makoutz joins him, replacing NSC second-teamer Spicer.
Fleischmann, Lippe and J.D. Brahm will also see time.
Lippe and senior Kyle Johnson handle the corners, replacing NSC first-teamer Jake Lippe.
At safety, Isaac Bensen and sophomore Mason Contrell will see time.
The Pirates will run a 4-5-2 defense.
While the defense is young, especially up front, “they’re big kids and we’re hoping they hold their own. We have not had this much size as we’ve had in the past.”
The program’s numbers are up by 20 from last year to about 70, not quite enough for three teams.
Depth is important, Bunyan said. The Pirates started 4-1 last season and ended 1-4, after injuries began to mount.
“We’re trying to get as close as we can to two platoons,” Bunyan said. “I’m excited about our depth. If we do rotate, those guys aren’t going to play the whole game.”
Kicker is still up for grabs, and Contrell has secured the punter position.
Niemeyer and Kasdorf will handle kickoff and punt returns. Niemeyer had a touchdown on a kickoff return last year.
Bunyan said he expects Homestead, Slinger and Hartford to be among the leading contenders for the NSC title. Homestead won the Division 2 state title last year finishing 14-0.
“We just want to get better daily. That’s what we say all the time. We’re going to keep trying to focus on the process,” he said.
“I really love my team and the work ethic and how they’re coming together. They are ready to set their own goals and do some good things.”
Port debuts its new turf Friday, Sept. 6, against Nicolet.
This is Port Washington’s final season in the North Shore Conference as next year it moves to the East Central Conference.
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